Assessing the Role of Advanced Practice Nurses in Addressing Health Disparities in Underserved Areas

Posted: Jul 11, 2021

• Kelsey Martinez
• Ronan Brooks
• Mila Sanchez

Abstract

Health disparities in underserved areas represent one of the most persistent and challenging problems in contemporary healthcare systems. These disparities, which manifest as differential health outcomes across racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines, have proven remarkably resistant to conventional intervention strategies. The complex interplay of social determinants, limited access to care, and systemic barriers creates a healthcare landscape where traditional medical approaches often fall short. Within this challenging environment, Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) have emerged as potentially transformative figures, positioned uniquely at the intersection of clinical expertise, patient advocacy, and community engagement. The existing literature on APNs has primarily focused on their clinical competencies and cost-effectiveness compared to physician providers. While these studies have established the clinical credibility of APNs, they have largely overlooked the distinctive ways in which APNs navigate the complex socioecological terrain of underserved communities. This gap in understanding is particularly significant given the growing recognition that addressing health disparities requires interventions that extend beyond the clinical encounter to encompass the broader social and structural determinants of health. This research addresses this gap through an innovative methodological approach that